ederal rules could force paycheck changes for Eddy County workers

In today's electronic age, a majority of employers - including some branches of the federal government - require their employees to sign up for direct deposit. But there are employees who still want their paper check handed to them on payday.

But that could change.

Kenney Rayroux, county administrative services director, told the Eddy County Commission this week that Carlsbad National Bank - the bank handling the county's payroll deposits - says the county is not in compliance with the federal automated clearing house regulations.

Eddy County government gives its employees a choice - direct deposit or paper check. But the county's payday system is not fair, according to some.

Employees who receive a paper paycheck have been getting paid a day earlier than their co-workers who opted for direct deposit.

While Eddy County government does not require its employees to go the direct deposit route, some county commissioners are of the opinion the county should consider requiring all employees to get paid via direct deposit.

"In this electronic age, why would someone not want direct deposit?" Commissioner Guy Lutman said. "A lot of private companies require that all their employees get paid by direct deposit. I think it is the way to go."
Commissioner Jack Volpato agreed, saying direct deposit would ensure that everyone is paid on the same day, and it would probably cut down on the work of issuing paper checks.

Advertisement

Rayroux said the county has two options to come into compliance with the banking regulation: All employees are paid on Fridays, regardless if they participate in direct deposit or not, or the county needs to hire an additional employee to help facilitate getting the required paperwork done by the Wednesday before payday in order for everyone to get paid on the Thursday payday.

Acting Finance Director Debby Penaluna-Funk explained to the commission that the finance office, which oversees payroll, does not have the staff needed to file the electronic information with the bank at the same time it makes the bank deposit for the payroll.

Therefore, those who opted to get a paper check have been getting paid a day earlier than those whose paychecks are deposited electronically into their bank account.

"We need another person to help facilitate with the paper work to get it done by Wednesday, or push payday for everyone to Friday," she said.
Following the meeting, Penaluna-Funk said of the 300 county employees, about half still receive a paper check.

Rayroux said designating Friday as payday for all county employees brings another problem. The county road department is closed on Fridays, meaning employees who receive paper checks would have to come in on their day off to get their paycheck.

Other elected officials said if the traditional paychecks are issued on a Friday, they will see employees skipping out of the office before 2 p.m. to cash their check or make a deposit in order for the funds to become available before the weekend.

Commissioner Tony Hernandez said he believes the staff shortage in the county's payroll department is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. He made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Roxanne Lara, to hire an additional person for the payroll department.

However, when it was put to a vote, it did not pass, with commissioners Guy Lutman, Jack Volpato and Lewis Derrick voting against the measure.

The vote also was 3-2 to move payday for all employees to Friday.

Volpato said hiring an additional person for the department should be left to the person who will be hired to serve as the county's finance director. The county has been without a finance director for nine months.

Rayroux said it could be at least six weeks before the right candidate is selected.

Volpato said hiring an additional person to help handle the payroll could be counter-productive.

"The person who we hire for the finance director position needs to assess the department. He or she may see a more efficient way of doing things without having to hire another person," Volpato said.

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — The death of actor Leonard Nimoy last week has inspired people to post photos on social media of marked-up five-dollar Canadian banknotes that show former prime minister Wilfrid Laurier transformed to resemble Spock, Nimoy's famous "Star Trek" character. Full Story